I’ve been eating miso soup since I was a little girl and this is my mother’s recipe, which happens to be my favorite of all time! Savory, sweet, nutty, and made with only three ingredients, you won’t believe how comforting it is. Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish.
Miso soup is one of the most famous Japanese dishes of all time. Next to sushi, it’s what most people refer to whenever they say they crave Japanese food. While it’s usually served together with a salad as part of an appetizer in the US, miso soup comes with rice as part of a main meal in Japan.
My mother makes the best homemade miso soup. And although it is unlike what you are used to seeing in restaurants, hers is another popular version that’s often served in Japan, just like this miso soup with maitake mushrooms. Using only chopped onions, dashi and miso paste, the soup takes on a sweet fragrance called amami (あまみ), making the soup milder yet still deep in flavor. The onions are boiled until tender and literally melt in your mouth, it’s absolutely delicious!
Best Miso Paste For This Recipe
There are many different types of miso paste but the three most popular ones used for miso soup are:
- White Miso Paste – (Shiro Miso 白味噌) : White miso paste is the sweetest and mildest of all three miso pastes (made with 40% soybean and 60% rice or barley grains). Because the fermentation period is shorter than other types of miso paste, the flavor is much more delicate than the other two types. White miso paste is often used in southern Japan where they prefer milder broths and sauces.
- Yellow Miso Paste – (Awase Miso 合わせ味噌): The word awase in Japanese means “to mix”, and that’s exactly what this miso paste is – a mix of white and red miso paste. You get the sweetness of the white miso paste mixed with the smokiness and saltiness of the red miso paste. It’s a powerful combination and one that yields a bowl of miso soup where the flavors are in perfect harmony.
- Red Miso Paste – (Aka Miso 赤味噌): Red miso paste is the strongest, most punchy type of miso paste. It’s pungent, nutty, salty, and packed with umami (made with 70% soybean and 30% rice or barley). It has so much depth in flavor that I sometimes find it overwhelming, which is why I prefer awase miso. Needless to say a little goes a long way here!
You can technically use any of these three types of miso paste to make this miso soup but I recommend using white miso paste because that’s the one my mother uses. Awase miso paste is the second best option but one I prefer using for dishes like regular miso ramen or spicy miso ramen, nasu dengaku, or to make a simple miso dressing.
Cooking Equipment
- Chef’s knife. To slice the onions.
- Small or medium size pot. To cook the soup.
- Small strainer. To strain the miso paste.
- Serving bowls. To serve the soup.
Ingredients
- Onion: Don’t be afraid to use a lot of onions in this recipe since it adds a lovely flavor to the soup. And once the onion slices are boiled, they are so tender they almost melt in your mouth.
- Water: 4 cups of water or 4 cups of dashi if you are making it from scratch using bonito flakes or kombu.
- Dashi powder: While the ratio of dashi powder to water is usually 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water, for miso soup, less is used. That’s because miso paste is the main flavor of the soup. You will only need 1 tablespoon of dashi powder for this recipe.
- Miso paste: I recommend using white or awase miso paste. Both of these options yields a soup that’s milder and less salty than the strong and pungent red miso paste.
- Ichimi togarashi (optional): Optional but a must for myself! I always add a sprinkle to infuse a little heat.
How To Make Miso Soup
- Add 4 cups of water, onions and dashi powder to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat, cover and cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions are tender.
- Place the miso paste in a colander and lower it into the pot until enough water covers the miso paste.
- Using chopsticks, swirl the paste until it completely dissolves into the soup.
- Turn the heat off and serve.
Variations
- Make it traditional. For the traditional miso soup with tofu and seaweed, bring the water and dashi to a boil, add the tofu and cook for 2 minutes. Follow the same steps for dissolving the miso paste, and finish by adding the seaweed (wakame).
- Make it vegan. Use kombu dashi instead or regular dashi which is made with bonito flakes (katsuobushi). Also, make sure that the miso paste you are buying doesn’t contain any dashi and is 100% miso paste only.
- Make it more filling. Add a couple of pieces of mochi to the soup when it’s boiling and cook them until they have softened. I love eating miso soup this way as I am obsessed with the chewy texture of rice cakes.
- Make it nutty. Adding a drizzle of toasted sesame oil will infuse the broth with a lovely nutty taste. I also sometimes like to add ground sesame seeds for the same effect.
There are so many different ways to serve miso soup! While the broth itself doesn’t change much, there are many ingredients that can be added to compliment it. Deep-fried tofu pouches (aburaage), eggplant, daikon, okra, kabocha squash, potatoes, carrots, spinach, and natto, are just a few!
Expert Tips
- Drink it hot but not boiling. Miso soup is best enjoy when it’s eaten hot and not boiling. That’s because the flavors of the soup are delicate and more pronounced when the temperature isn’t too elevated.
- Use the sweetest onions to enhance amami. Amami means sweet taste in Japanese. My mother’s miso soup tastes best when it’s made with a sweeter type of onion so it infuses the broth with sweetness. Onions such as Vidalia or Walla Walla are good options, as well as yellow onions. Avoid using white onions as they have a strong astringent taste.
Storage
- Fridge: Let the miso soup cool to room temperature first. Transfer it to a storage container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Let the miso soup cool to room temperature first. Next, I recommend dividing the soup into individual serving size so it’s easier to reheat the right amount. Use airtight storage containers or airtable sealable storage bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat miso soup, put the miso soup in a pot and simmer on low heat. Do not boil miso soup as it’s bad for the miso paste and will affect its taste and delicate aroma.
What To Serve With
To me, miso soup, or miso shiru, is what I like to serve in the morning as part of a Japanese breakfast with rice and a piece of salted salmon (shiozake), or as a side to noodles, stir fries, and rice bowls, for lunch or dinner.
Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair with miso soup:
- Japanese curry rice
- Omurice
- Spicy tuna roll
- Baked Chicken Katsu
- Rice and natto
- tamago kake gohan
- Yaki udon
Frequently Asked Question
Some instant miso soups are delicious! But there are so many brands to choose from that it can be very confusing to pick one. My favorites are Hikari Instant Awase Miso and Marukome Instant Ryotei no Aji.
Yes, miso soup is very rich in vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. Because of the fermentation process, miso soup is good for the digestive system and can help with acid reflux. It’s also good for the heart and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancers, such as stomach cancer. However, miso soup can be very high in sodium and may raise your blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. Make sure to read the label to see how much sodium each serving of miso contains.
It depends of the miso paste used. It’s important to read the label if you suffer from gluten allergies since some miso pastes can contain fermented grains like wheat and barley. Look for one that is 100% gluten-free.
Did you like this miso soup recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
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The Best Miso Soup
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This is a simple miso soup with sliced onions just like the way my Japanese mother makes it!
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon powdered dashi
- 3–4 tablespoons preferably white miso paste or awase miso paste
- Ichimi togarashi (optional)
Instructions
- Make the broth. Put the sliced onions, water and powdered dashi in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the onions are tender.
- Add the miso paste. Place the miso paste in a small strainer and lower the strainer into the pot, until the liquid covers the miso paste. Stir the miso paste with chopsticks until it has fully dissolved.
- Serve. Turn the heat off and serve.
- Add a little heat (optional). Sprinkle a little ichimi togarashi for heat.
Notes
This miso soup will keep for 3 days, refrigerated in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 42
- Sugar: 1.7g
- Sodium: 23.4mg
- Fat: 0.8g
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7.1g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 0.3mg
Questions and Reviews
The brands that are linked in the ingredients list, are these the exact items you use? I love miso soup but am so picky about it. I’ve tried multiple brands at our local Asian market but haven’t loved any of them. I would love to be able to eat this multiple times a week.
Hi Megan! Yes, these are all ingredients that I use. As for the miso paste, I change it up between the one that’s linked to the recipe and Miko’s Awase Miso paste. I also like the Shirakiku brand and Hikari miso 🙂
Thank you for the recipe! It was very good 🙂 the ingredients were definitely hard to find in the supermarket so most of the items were bought online. Would you mind sharing which brand of awase miso paste you use? Thank you in advance!!
Hi Claudia! The brands I like to use are Hikari or Miko 🙂
One of my favorite Japanese foods is Miso Soup ! I’ve ordered it at great restaurants all over the world. I’ve tried many of the “ Instant “ soup mixes sold in the stores. I’ve even made it from scratch in my kitchen. I was never thrilled with my cooking attempts! Then I was lucky enough to come across this recipe on line !! WOW !! This is the Absolute Best soup ever !!! So Savory! So Unami Tasty ! So Delicious!! I was a little leery about the white sweet onions and the amount. Only used green shallots before this. But Caroline Phelps is right , they melt in your mouth, and don’t overpower the soup in anyway! And yes the Awase Miso is PERFECT! Not too sweet , not too smoky. THANK YOU , Caroline and to your Mother, for this FANTASTIC WONDERFUL recipe !! I will cherish it always!!
Michael,
That is such a nice comment, you have no idea how happy you just made me! Thank you so much, and I will pass the word along to my mother as well 🙂
Great miso recipe. I love the strainer trick,I’ve never thought of that. I haven’t heard of putting fresh clams in miso, what are your steps for that modification?
Hi Courtney! Clean and rinse the baby clams well before using and add them to the miso soup just a couple of minutes before serving. It’s one of my favorites, so delicious!!
Just made the miso soup. OMG! My husband loves it. I used Hondashi bonito soup stock. Can’t wait to try the Riken brand. Wait til I make the soup at family reunion. It is cold and going for second serving.
That’s great Belta, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
I cooked miso soup for the first time today and it was delish! The pot was wiped clean! Fantastic recipe!!
I have tried several miso soup recipes. This is the best recipe on miso soup I found on internet. The information provided is clear and thorough.
I tried making dashi from scratch. I ran into a problem looking for bonita flakes in the supermarket, especially when package is not in english. It is just awesome that you provide alternatives.
I can’t wait to use your recipe this weekend. It is a perfect time to make soup in cold weather.
I am also looking forward to making sushi. I can’t wait to get recipe book.
Thank you so much Belta, I will share your comment with my mother, she will be so happy! 🙂
What type of miso do you prefer? And are there any brands you recommend?
Hi Leala! I like white or awase miso paste for miso soup. If you prefer it salty and smoky, then go for red miso paste. As far as brands, I like Hikari, Marukome, Hanamaruki, and Miko. 🙂
Thank you so much! I got the Hikari organic white miso. I just made your recipe, and it is absolutely delicious! It is on par with the miso soup I get at restaurants. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much Leala! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe, it’s my go to, it’s simple and delicious. I also appreciate the links for ingredients. I love all the recipes I have found on your website.
I love the salad dressing to hat has ginger and carrots in it, I LoVE it.
Thank you for sharing your family recipes.
Thank you so much Paula, you just made smile from ear to ear 🙂
My husband and I went to Japan several years ago and I fell in love with the food.
The Riken brand of powdered dashi that you mention was recommended to me by a woman who owns a small Japanese grocery close to my office here in the United States. She told me “All the Japanese housewives use this” lol. It’s so good and so simple to use, and your recipe is delicious!
Thank you so much Erika! 🙂
This hit the spot. The best miso soup I’ve ever had and the first I’ve attempted to make. I used Dashi granules and added some tofu with a little nori on top to serve. Thanks for sharing your mom’s amazing recipe!
Thank you so much Barbara, this makes me so happy! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. The first recipe I’ve used that gives a delicate and full- flavored miso broth! I do make my own kombu dashi for this for a vegan version. I’ve made with Vidalia onions and occasionally include either mushrooms or Wakame. This is my go-to recipe from now on!
I have made several attempts at other miso recipes. This is by far the best and the easiest. No need to keep searching for any other recipe.
Thank you so much Andrea! 🙂
Approx. how much tofu and wakame are you roughly adding. I know a little goes a long way with the seaweed. Thank you!
Hi Craig! You’re absolutely right by saying that a little goes a long way with wakame 🙂 I usually add 5 or 6 pieces per bowl and right before serving so they are fresh and not slimy. As for tofu, use silken and dice them quite small (smaller than bite size is better). 2 tablespoons per bowl is about right.
Very good simple recipe!!! Found everything I needed at the local Asian market (the miso paste will be in the refrigerated section). Will be adding this to the normal lunch rotation. Thanks!!!
You are so welcome Nichi! And I’m sure my mother will also be happy to know that so many people love her miso soup as much as I do! 🙂
Hello from Texas!
I ADORE miso soup… my whole family does really. I cannot wait to try your recipe!! I have never made miso before… and to be quite honest… I’ve never bought tofu either. What would be the best tofu to use? Also what kind of seaweed. Is it dried or fresh? I would appreciate all the help I can get! Thanks so much in advance!
-Leta
Hi Leta! Silken tofu is the only type I recommend for using in soups because of it’s delicate silky texture. As for seaweed, look for the dry wakame type, which you can find in every Asian grocery store, or here on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wakame-Dried-Seaweed-Ounce-Shirakiku/dp/B0086XRRMW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1ESL1VIG36BWA&keywords=wakame+seaweed&qid=1581950802&sprefix=wakame%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-5
Absolutely divine! My previous attempts at making miso soup did not even come close to this recipe. Clearly simple is best with miso soup. I changed my liquid concentrated dashi to the HonDashi granules mentioned in the article. Wow! What a difference! Thank you Caroline for another recipe that my Japanese mom would love:)
You are so welcome Carol, your message put a big smile on my face 🙂 ❤️
I LOVE the tip of using the strainer to help dissolve the clumps of miso. Brilliant! Thank you!
It is so easy and so delicious, I used a Dashi Miso paste so I didn’t add the flakes and it is amazing. My three boys all loved it too. What a crowd pleaser, it was so fast to make. I have gone to the store for Miso paste alone several times since the first and it is always great.
Wonderful Wendy! I make miso soup almost every day for the exact same reasons – because it’s so easy and so delicious! 🙂
I LOVE your blog and traditional recipes that include short cuts without the guilt from not preparing all ingredients from scratch. This miso recipe is simple yet tastes wonderfully complex from the cooked onions, hon dashi and miso combination. I am Sansei and was unable to capture my mom’s Japanese recipes because she rarely wrote them down. Finding your blog filled so many gaps in how I cook (or tried to cook) Japanese food. Many thanks for creating an amazing blog with background stories that make recipes come alive. Now off I go to the Japanese grocery store to find Riken dashi so I can decide if I have a new favorite to add to my pantry. 🙂
Thank you Carol for the beautiful comment! I always ask my mother about her recipes and though she never writes them down (just like your mother – is it a Japanese thing? ;P) she can always recreate her dishes the same way. Nowadays, whenever I’m in Japan visiting her, I make sure to keep notes on how she makes my favorite dishes, including using measuring cups and spoons (she always looks at me like I’m crazy haha!). I’m so happy you are able to capture some of your mother’s flavors, there’s nothing more comforting than a mother’s love 🙂
No it’s NOT a Japanese thing-it’s a Mother thing!. My mom’s from Missouri in USA, her mom is from Kentucky. Neither one of them have ever written down a recipe in their lives, never accurately measured anything and never really willingly shared a recipe outside the family!!
That’s too funny Kaye! And that’s why so many of us start food blogs so we can try to recapture some of mom’s amazing food. Maybe we all need to have a serious talk with them and tell them to write that stuff down!
I’ve been making miso soup everyday for over a year, and decided to follow your recipe today. It was the best.miso.soup.ever!!! Thank you. I especially liked the miso in the strainer.
That’s wonderful Karen! I’m really happy you like my mother’s recipe, I’ll let her know 🙂